James says he won’t help rig GOP debate

Former NFL football player and ESPN sports analyst Craig James says he got the following text message this afternoon from Ted Cruz, who also is seeking the Republican nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat. James and Cruz are considered in the top tier of 10 GOP candidates. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst appears to be the one to beat.

Cruz texted James’ personal cell phone with the following message:

“Craig–hope you’re well. See you Friday. For what it’s worth, since you’re asking me a Q, it might be worth asking me something about Dew skipping 31 debates (or something else related to his record). Just an idea… Ted”

Craig told Cruz he will not participate in rigging the debate system because he entered the race in the first place to bring an end to politics as usual.

“Today I was put in an awkward position by Ted Cruz, a man I’ve come to know and respect. Ted sent me a text suggesting I ask him a set-up question for Friday’s United States Senate debate. In my mind, this is nothing more than an attempt to rig the system.

“This has challenged me to see if I’ll be a man of my word. I’ve campaigned that I’m going to stand for right and this is simply not right. I leave it now to the press and the public to decide whether this kind of politics is acceptable in 2012 Texas. I hope not,” James said in a statement.

Cruz’s campaign downplayed suggestions that the former solicitor general tried to rig the debate.

“Newsflash …. Ted has consistently and publically denounced David Dewhurst’s record of ducking 30 plus debates across Texas and the suggestion by Ted that another candidate join in shining light on Dewhurst’s record of hiding from Texas voters should come as no surprise to anyone,” campaign spokseman James Bernsen said. “And by the way, Dewhurst has skipped so many debates that even Ted has lost track – Dewhurst has now skipped 32 debates, not 31.”